You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent idea, only to realize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I chose to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. But actually? It developed into one of one of the most excruciating software program decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, a lot more effective methods to expand your organization. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Frankenstein stack of devices just to run your everyday, you know how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for many years (and liking it, honestly), however still– I got lured in by the assurance of streamlining every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally points took a few even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), supplied much more features, and all the awesome online marketers online appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That interest expense me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and generally trying to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom types, landing pages, triggers … everything
Let’s not also talk about the lost efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck fundamental settings were.
And simply when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
In the beginning, whatever looked all right. However then, out of no place, people on my list started obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to get. I’m chatting entirely unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers at a time. Three days straight.
Overall turmoil.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I contacted assistance. They criticized “server problems.” However nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Imagine waking up every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply bothersome– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on count on, you can not afford to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of system. Insects occur. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quickly.
That really did not occur right here.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into the void while my service melted. On the other hand, every min I spent troubleshooting was a min I had not been offering customers or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Bitrix24.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in unusual places. Even easy tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. Wish to alter item settings, page layouts, and general circulation? Cool– you’ll need to quest through three various locations that make zero logical feeling. Half the moment, I could not also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like using software program constructed by designers, for designers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Actual Quick
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears outstanding, appropriate?
However right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Bitrix24
The final straw? Enjoying my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigator while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– below’s what I wish someone had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped about the latest “revolutionary” tool. Yet just because everybody’s talking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly better. A system with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Concealed expenses are the worst. Choose tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your month-to-month expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Examine unbiased testimonials, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on actual individual experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, straightforward platform to run your business, I’ve evaluated a number. Right here are a couple of I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized companies with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for job monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might help some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your current setup. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.